The comedian Tim Vine has won the award for funniest joke at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, marking the second time in four years that he has scooped the honor. He won for the one-liner: "I decided to sell my Hoover... well it was just collecting dust."

Tim Vine won this year's funniest joke award [Getty/Scott Campbell]

Vine, 47 - the brother of broadcaster Jeremy - scooped almost a fifth of the votes in the competition run by comedy television channel, Dave. In 2010, the comedian won with the joke: "I've just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I'll tell you what, never again." He was runner-up in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

On being crowned this year's winner, Vine said: "I'm a little bit surprised but very delighted. This is the second time I've won this award but I guess nobody loves a repeat more than Dave."

Primarily a one-liner comedian, Vine recently spoke to BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the discipline.

"When I think of what I think is a good joke I do often laugh, because of course it's the first time I've heard it. So I will chuckle," he said.

"But I've been wrong many times and I'll go in front of an audience thinking this is an absolute work of genius and they stare back at me going 'Sorry you want us to laugh at this point, do you?' and I realise that doesn't work at all."

"But it also works the other way and that's the exciting thing about writing comedy - you never quite know until you try it with an audience. Never test it on family and friends."